We went along to help Nishimori san plant some soba (buckwheat).  It was a scorching hot day.  The juku students were there too as part of their course.  It was the first time i’d planted buckwheat, but it all seemed strangely familiar.
Everyone was dressed for the occasion – hats and strange farmer clothes, wellingtons, pumps, sports trousers, high heels.  I was wearing some extra large jeans, brown boots, a grey shirt and a straw hat.
The method of planting was very simple and straightofrward: plough a trench, scatter seeds, fill in the trench, mulch.

The field seemed small at first, but for two people, without gadgets, it would be hard work.  Fortunately, there were around twenty people to help.  The whole process was super quick.

Dig a trench with a hand plough.

Scatter seeds.

Cover seeds.

Continue doing this until there is no more space.

Seeds sowed and it’s time to mulch.

Using a farmers guilotine, reeds and other vegetation are cut into bite-size pieces and sprinkled all over the field.  Just before lunch and with the mulching barely begun, it rained.  It really rained.  We returned after lunch and see Gus san in the rain, raking vegetation.  We help and begin cutting the plants with the chopper.  It’s really satisfying, and the rain is falling steadily.  A couple of the juku students arrive to help and we all begin to process the mulch.  It’s pouring rain now, and we are singing songs to give us power.  My clothes are sticking to my body and water is running down into my underwear.  It feels good to work so hard…